Gary Neville had leaped to the defence of Sadio Mane and claims the Liverpool striker did not deserve to be sent off against Manchester City.

The Senegal forward received his marching orders from referee Jon Moss eight minutes before the break after he collided with Ederson, who had rushed from his goal to prevent Mane a clear goalscoring opportunity.

The Brazil international received treatment for eight minutes after Mane’s boot had thudded into his face, but Neville initially claimed Moss had been too hasty with his decision and had ‘ruined the game’.

‘It wasn’t one of those where you think the goalkeeper is the favourite. He does well to get out, and his foot is high,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘Jon Moss, you have just ruined the game there.

Sadio Mane will now miss Liverpool’s next three matches (Picture: Getty)

Ederson was sent for checks on a suspected fractured jaw (Picture: Getty)

‘He didn’t need to give a red card. He could have given a yellow. I think he’s got it wrong.’

Having seen various replays, Neville’s fellow pundits Jamie Carragher and Kolo Toure both agreed Moss had made the correction decision, but even with the benefit of hindsight Neville refused to accept the official’s verdict.

He added: ‘The rewards are so great for a striker. As such the player has to try and win the ball so for for me it’s a yellow at best.’